Rutting deer raise ruckus in B.C.

Deer incidents in the past month reported by the B.C. Conservation Officer Service:

• In rutting season, a buck mule deer’s display of dominance usually involves violently thrashing brush with its antlers. In an urban backyard in Kelowna, a volleyball net was the target and the deer became entangled Wednesday, Oct. 26.

Conservation officers were able to tranquilize the deer, remove the netting, mark the animal and release it back to its environment.

• A woman jogging with her dog attacked by a Columbia blacktail buck this week in Victoria.

“Using its antlers, the deer threw the dog up in the air and knocked the jogger to the ground” said Chris Doyle, deputy chief of the B.C. Conservation Officer Service.

“Deer can be dangerous, and shouldn’t be fed or approached. A lot of deer conflicts are actually caused by dogs, so we’re advising to please keep your dog leashed and under control when there is wildlife around.”